‘It's all about rapport’: Australian therapists' recommendations for engaging adolescent males in counselling and psychotherapy

Abstract

Objective

What are the recommendations provided by Australian therapists to engage and retain adolescent males in psychotherapy? This question is considered in response to research highlighting low engagement and high premature dropout in psychological treatment among adolescent males in both Australia and other Western nations.

Method

Participants were 67 Australian mental health practitioners (35 psychologists, 20 social workers, eight counsellors, three psychiatrists and one occupational therapist) recruited through purposive sampling via professional association websites, publications and social media. Participants completed an open-question, web-based qualitative survey. Responses were analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes and 10 subthemes were developed, including the following: (1) creating a context of safety; (2) undertaking practices that develop rapport and engagement; and (3) undertaking masculinity-aware adaptions to the therapy process.

Conclusion

The recommendations provided by Australian therapists align with the broader literature tasked with developing male-friendly interventions applicable and appealing to young men. Therapeutic relationships underpinned by masculinity-informed trust, commitment and collaboration may be a part of the remedy to young men's limited engagement and retention in therapy.